IRCLE
OF 
RIENDS
elcome to be Best Newsletter on the Internet
GLOBAL EXPRESS
Thought I would start off this week's issue with The Month After Christmas verse send in from 
my much older brother, Wayne and his lovely wife Jenny from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
'Twas the month after Christmas and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibble, the eggnog I'd taste.
All the holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
Instead of just walking, I was starting to lumber.
I remembered the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
I should have said, "No thanks instead of yes please."
As I dressed myself in a double xl shirt
And prepared once again to do battle and hurt
I said to myself, as only I can
"You can't spend the winter looking like a snowman!"
So--away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won't have a cookie - not even a lick.
I'll only be chewing on a celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or shortbread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!
If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, do be sure to see and hear and do it!!
No better chance for a life experience than that of attending Reunion 2008 in Argentina.
There are no guarantees in this life, so when we hold back we do so at the risk of never fully blossoming. Try very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to your lives. Plan to attend Reunion 2008!
Bigsis Pat's
Journal
Hello again. After Darryl & I separated I moved to St. Catharines where I shared an apartment with my grandson Joey, and his brother Drew also stayed with us on a visit from Alberta. This was a healing time for me, but I still felt very alone. Oh sure the boys were there, sort of, but they spent most of the time in their room, or went out. We really didn't spend a lot of time together.
The only thing that kept me going was my upcoming trip to see Sharon in British Columbia, and believe me, I really counted those days, even has one of those countdown thingies on my desk top. Once I got there I realized it was a whole different way of life. As Sharon kept reminding me I was on west coast time now, which meant a much slower pace. I gradually started to relax and felt the stress just fall away. Once I got my own place in Crofton, things changed even more. I got involved. Joined the Senior Center and the local community church; I took Tai chi classes. And of course the outings Sharon and I tock shopping for things for the new little cottage were the best.
When I heard from Darryl in October, you could have knocked me over with a feather, and when the decision was made for me to come back to Ontario, it was the right decision. I have realized in the few weeks since I've been back, that I was beginning to get back into my old rut, from before (before we separated), where I basically didn't have a life. I was becoming a homebody again, and I didn't want that. I had tasted what it was like to get out in the world and live, and I wanted that same good feeling again.
In order for that to happen I had to do something, so last week when I was in my local thrift store I asked the lady if she needed any volunteers, and she said Yes! So this week I will start my new shift, and I am looking forward to it. Getting out of the house and meeting people is what I need.
I don't plan on stopping there, either, when the golf season starts, Darryl & I are going to go golfing "together". That's probably one of the most important aspects of our "Starting Over", is being together. We spend more quality time together, instead of each of us going our separate ways.
If I have learned nothing else in this past year it is: Life is too precious not to enjoy it, and live it to the fullest. And if you are fortunate enough to have someone special to Share it with, so much the better. Until next time.
doubt those who find it."
(Andre Gide)
Don't forget to check the Birthday Calendar to see when members are celebrating their special days.
- Jan. 18 - Daphne & Leo from Argentina's anniversary as well as Leo's birthday
- Jan. 22 - Peachy Marie from Tilbury, Ontario, Canada's birthday
- Jan. 22 - Dee & Joe (Peachy's daughter and son-in-law) from Chatham, Ontario Canada's 25th Wedding Anniverary
- Jan. 25 - Reuben (Daphne & Leo's son) from Argentina's birthday
- Jan. 25 - Meg from Prescott, Ontario, Canada's birthday
We look forward to hearing all about your special day.
If you are not listed in the calendar please be sure to email 
Jami from Maryland.
Here is a little age related humour from 
Charla, from Florida, USA.
Working people frequently ask retired people what they do to make their days interesting. Well, for example, the other day Aggie and I went into town and went into a shop. We were only in there for about 5 minutes. When we came out, there was a cop writing out a parking ticket. We went up to him and said, 'Come on man, how about giving a senior citizen a break?'
He ignored us and continued writing the ticket. I called him a Nazi Creep ! He glared at me and began writing another ticket for having worn tires. So Aggie called him a s**thead. He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first. Then he started writing a third ticket. This went on for about 20 minutes. The more we abused him, the more tickets he wrote.
Personally, we didn't care. We'd come into town by bus.
We try to have a little fun each day now that we're retired.
It's important at our age.
Featured Story of the Week
Introducing Edith
I am 19 yrs old, a student of Kyambongo Unversity doing Art and Design - hope to become Designer one day; am a Christian and my interests are camping, dancing, making friends, sharing ideas, volunteering in romote areas, making funy, smiling coz I smile most of my time. My birthday is 25th of May. I live in Uganda, a beatiful country on eastern part of Africa.
Uganda is the pearl of Africa coz it is ever green and it has got beautiful scenery which you would love to see and the people are good as in welcoming visitors they are really nice to live with and am proud to be a Ugandan, we are so many tribes with different languages and my Muganda is the largest tribe with strong culture. We like so many different types of foods and my favourite food is matookee which means Bananas. Allow me to stop hear but we shall talk more. Thanks for your time. Take care. 
Edith from Uganda
Dear Heather
After a hard day at work I like to relax in the bathtub. I fill the bathroom with scented candles and add my favorite bubbles to the water. I lie back to soak and the fire alarm goes off. I get out, blow out the candles and wave a towel at the alarm then clean up the bubbles and water I've spilled By then the bath and the mood have gone cold. What can I do? ... Annoyed.
Dear Annoyed,
Now that I've stopped laughing I have a suggestion or two:
Try trimming the wick to cut down the smoke, and use fewer candles. I'm sure with patience and practice you'll figure out how many candles are fine. You could experiment before you get into the bath so there will be no mess. Good luck. Your friend, Heather.
So, is there something or your mind? Write to 
Heather directly and she will do her best to answer all questions in the spirit of friendship and caring based on the information given non judgmentally. If I am unable to answer, I'll try to direct you to the appropriate place.
Jan 12/07 - 
Lena, from Ontario, Canada says: GOT MY HIGH SPEED TODAY -YIPPPPEEEEE WATCH OUT WORLD HERE I COME,LOL, HUBBY WANTED IT TO KEEP THE PHONE FREE. I knew if I was on the computer enough he would give in to the high speed!
News, news , Newssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss, to everybody, lend me your ears please but I dont know, when will I return back to you. There is a great Hip pop competition which is going to take place on 18th of Jan 2008 at lougog show grounds and this is going to change the lives of so many young people; to especially those who have talants and it will expose them to so many powerful sangers both international, everyone must put on yellow, green and black as sign love music so and it has no age limit everyone is welcomed pliz come one, come all. It's a party time. Please your all welcome to hip pop Jum . love you all and take care see you there.
Edith from UgandaHi all, sorry I have not been posting much, I have spent most of my weekend napping, watching my Sky Plus catching up with all my soaps. I am up now early as normal, catching up with my mail. I am on lates this week so I start at 10 and finish at 8pm so I know I am going to be wacked out again. I think it is going to take me a good few weeks to get back into the swing of things again. Have a good day all!!
London ChrissieMy sister and I had a wonderful visit. She did not leave until after 4 pm on Sunday. We did a little shopping and a lot of catching up in the gabbing department. It was so great to have her all to myself. Guess what? the stink bugs didnt even come out! lol; well one did, but she didn't freak at all and that was sunday afternoon. lol
Jami from Maryland.
Norma from Alberta, Canada says that the WWWCOF is a wonderful organization. She enjoys hearing about other people and everyone is concerned for your health and welfare. She thinks that everyone should belong to an organization like this.Common Expressions - Origin & Meaning
Jump on the bandwagon
Meaning - To join a growing movement in support of someone or something, often in an opportunist way, when that movement is seen to be about to become successful.
Origin
The word bandwagon was coined in the USA in the mid 19th century, simply as the name for the wagon that carried a circus band. Phineas T. Barnum, the great showman and circus owner, used the term in 1855 in his unambiguously named autobiography The Life of P.T. Barnum, Written by Himself, 1855:
"At Vicksburg we sold all our land conveyances excepting four horses and the 'band wagon'."
Barnum didn't coin 'jump on the bandwagon'; that came later, but he did have a hand in some other additions to the language. He was nothing if not a publicist and, even though there is no definitive evidence of his inventing any new word or phrase, he certainly can be said to have made several of them popular. Firstly, there are a couple of celebrated quotations:
"There's a sucker born every minute." and
"You may fool all the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all the time; but you can't fool all of the people all the time."
The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations lists those as 'attributed to' Barnum. Abraham Lincoln is also often cited as the author of the second one. Two other coinages that we can thank Barnum for popularising are 'Jumbo' and 'Siamese twins'. Jumbo was a little-used slang term in Barnum's day and was recorded in John Badcock's Slang. A dictionary of the turf, 1823:
"Jumbo, a clumsy or unwieldly fellow."
It came into widespread use in 1882 as the name of the giant elephant that Barnum exhibited in his shows. Those shows also featured the 'joined at the hip' Siamese twins, Chang and Eng Bunker.
Back to the bandwagon. Circuses were skilled at attracting the public with the razzmatazz of a parade through town, complete with highly decorated bandwagon. Politicians picked up on this and began using bandwagons when campaigning for office. The date of the transition from the literal 'jumping on a bandwagon', in order to show one's alliance to a politician, to the figurative use we know now isn't clear, but it was complete by the 1890s. Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt made a clear-cut reference to the practice in his Letters, 1899 (published 1951):
"When I once became sure of one majority they tumbled over each other to get aboard the band wagon."
submitted by London Chrissie
Please visit my website
Be sure to visit our Sayings site! Email Chrissie with any Origins and Meanings of Sayings and she will happily see that they are added to this collection. What common sayings would you like to know the meaning and origin of? Just ask Email Chrissie and she will find out for you.
Have you started playing our Trivia Quiz Game yet which is hosted by 
Aussie Jeanette. Go on try it ... it is fun!
International Weather Station
Cindy from Phillipston, MA says they have a big snow storm coming in for Monday (Jan. 14). Have lots of running around to do that day. UGH!
Not crazy about having to travel around in a snowstorm! Supposed to be between 12"-14".
Will be good for my kids. Everyone here rides snowmobiles. We had lost all the snow we got before with the 60* weather we had last week. Goes from one extreme to another here in New England, but that's why I love it!
Have a great day.Fran tells us that Fall is her favourite season, because of all the beautiful colors. Here in Tennesse on the mountain, where I live, we have a very beautiful fall season.
Irene, aka Scotty, from Washington, USA says that May is her favourite month of the year - not hot, not cold. Sitting on the deck early in the morning watching the sun rise and the birds wake up when no one else is up. Actually she admits that is her favourite time of every day. She also says that Spring is her favourite season as it shows all the promise of new beginnings. Everything looks and smells fresh. New hope blossoms.
Daphne from Argentina reports that the temp hasn't gone below 30 C 90 F all week! Tuesday (Jan. 15) it got to 36.6 C and after a brief shower of rain in the evening, today is a much more bearable 22 C.
The Further Adventures of 
Dabthoms, aka David from Essex, England
I received this mid - December but somehow it did not get published. My apologies David.
A father passing by his son's bedroom, was astonished to see the bed was nicely made, and everything was picked up. Then, he saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow. It was addressed, "Dad." With the worst premonition, he opened the envelope and read the letter, with trembling hands.
"Dear Dad,
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm
writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend, because I wanted
to
avoid a scene with Mum and you.
I've been finding real passion with Stacy, and she is so nice, but I knew you would not approve of her, because of all her piercing's, tattoos, her tight Motorcycle clothes, and because she is so much older than I am. But it's not only the passion, Dad. She's pregnant.
Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods, and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children. Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't, really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it for ourselves, and trading it with the other people in the commune, for all the cocaine and ecstasy we want.
In the meantime, we'll pray that science will find a cure for AIDS, so Stacy can get better. She sure deserves it!! Don't worry Dad, I'm 15, and I know how to take care of myself. Someday, I'm sure we'll be back to visit, so you can get to know your many grandchildren. Love, your son, Joshua.
P.S. Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at Jason's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the school report that's on my desk. I love you! Call when it is safe for me to come home.
Just thought I would update you on the sleep over. It was quite fun actually but so very tiring for this Granny! We picked Haley & Korrina up from After school care. Her Mommy had her car seat there along with her overnight bag. I went to put the car seat in and just couldn't remember how it went. Well Korrina wasn't quite used to adults having to figure something out. She finally said want me to help you? Between her & Haley & me we got it in. Haley is in a booster seat quite different from a car seat.
Now we're off to pick up pizza and bread sticks for dinner. Yummy! As we were driving the conversation in the back seat was just too funny. Mind you these little ladies go to different elementary schools. They have been best friends since age 3 and met at daycare. Haley starts giving the daily low down of Connor: Connor was so cute today. He did good to he got green. He almost never gets green. I was so proud of him. Korrina: Really? Travis was absent yesterday but here today. He was sick cause he had yellow snot in his nose. Haley: I know Connor get yellow snot sometimes. Did you know we are having pizza for dinner? Korrina: I love pizza. Does it have green things on it? Haley: Mema does the pizza have green things on it? No Haley just pepperoni like the two of you asked for. Haley: See Korrina I told you no green things on it. Did you bring your pillow cause we have more. Korrina: Yes I got mine and my sleep blanky. Haley: See we live right up here. Now remember the houses so you will know where you are. Korrina: Ok I will.
We're home and everyone has washed up and is ready for dinner. In walks my Dad, aka Charlie, coming to see the kids and tell them to have fun. Calls me to the front door as he leaves. "Let them girls have fun. Don't be strict about her room." then leaves! Ok do we not respect our parents wishes? The girls went outside for a while then came in and played games and it was time for bath. After that was all over it was popcorn and movie time. They were having a ball. Finally worn out after many other exciting things like dress up and painting and coloring and playing with babies. Korrina wears glasses so I had a "SPECIAL" place for her to keep them when she was sleeping and taking her bath. Haley woke up in the middle of the night crying for me and was very upset. She had some kind of dream about a fox tied to a tree?? Anyway she came got in bed with us. What a night! Feet & elbows & everything everywhere after all I am in the middle. Poppop has no idea what going on.
So when morning comes I sleep in. I get up and our house looks worse than the movies where the police turn everything upside down looking for something and Korrina is crying she can't find her glasses! Oh No! I was speechless and John immediately got my coffee for me (one good thing haha) After I woke up I went in and we looked every possible place they could be and then some. I called her Mom to tell her and tell her I would continue looking. Here come the girls we found them! On the back of the toilet where mema put them when Korrina took her bath! As I turned around I spilled my coffee all over the carpet I had just cleaned 2 days before.
This morning I got up went to put a dish on the kitchen table (we have a glass table with a stand under it) and that dish fell broke the table to bits!!
Just for Fun
THE PURINA DIET
submitted by 
Linda, from Tallassee, AL
I have 2 large dogs and was buying a large bag of Purina at Wal-Mart and was in line to check out. The woman behind me asked if I had a dog?
D U H ? On impulse, I told her no, I was starting The Purina Diet again. Although probably shouldn't because I'd ended up in the hospital the last time. But I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes everywhere and IVs in both arms.
I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and the way it works is to load your pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so I was going to try it again. I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story, particularly a tall guy who was standing behind her.
Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me? I told her no, I'd been sitting in the street licking my butt and a car hit me. I thought the guy standing behind her was going to need help as he staggered to the door laughing.
Break the rules,
forgive quickly,
kiss slowly,
love deeply,
laugh uncontrollably,
and never regret anything
that made you smile.
Lena, from Ontario, Canada would like us to give Not Your Usual Jigsaw Puzzle a try. She says it is amazing, the picture has movement in it the entire time you are working on it.
Drag the pieces together to make a picture. Yes, it can be done completely! When you complete the puzzle you will hear applause. Don't delete it until you give it a try.
She would also like us to have A Little Letter Fun.
THINGS I MUST REMEMBER AS A DOG
- The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.
- I do not need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm lying under the coffee table.
- I will not roll my toys behind the refrigerator, behind the sofa or under the bed.
- I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house.
- I will not eat the cat's food, before they eat it or after they throw it up.
- I will stop trying to find the few remaining pieces of clean carpet in the house when I am about to get sick.
- I will not throw up in the car.
- I will not roll on dead fish, seagulls, deer, etc, just because I like they smell.
- "Kitty box crunchies," although tasty, are not food.
- I will not eat any more Kleenex or napkins and then redeposit them in the back yard after processing.
- The diaper pail is not a cookie jar.
- I will not chew my human's toothbrush and not tell him.
- I will not chew crayons or pens, especially not the red ones, or my people will think I am hemorrhaging.
- When in the car, I will not insist on having the window rolled down when it's raining outside.
- We do not have a door bell. I will not bark every time I hear one on TV.
- I will not steal my mom's underwear and dance all over the backyard with it.
- I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet.
- The sofa is not a face towel. Neither is the bedspread, not Mom and Dad's laps.
- My head does not belong in the refrigerator.
- I will not bite the officer's hand when he reaches in for Mom's driver's license and car registration.
- I will not eat mint-flavored dental floss out of the bathroom garbage to avoid having a string hanging out of my rear end.
- I will not use "roll around in the dirt" as an option right after having a bath.
- Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is not acceptable way of saying hello.
- I will not pass gas in Dad's face while sleeping on the pillow next to his head.
- I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my rear end across the carpet.
- The toilet bowl is not a never-ending water supply and, just because the water is blue it doesn't mean it's cleaner.
Ruth from Michigan, USA
Questions & Answers
Some interesting questions to ponder.
- Can you cry under water?
- How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
- Why do you have to "put your two cents in". but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going?
- Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
- Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
- What disease did cured ham actually have?
- How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
- Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
- If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
- Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?
- Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
- Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.
- Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
- Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
- If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
- Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
- If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
- Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!
- If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?
- If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
- If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
- Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
- Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
- Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
- Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
- Do you ever wonder why you gave me your e-mail address in the first place?
Lena, from Ontario, Canada
Black and White Collage
You will need one sheet of black construction paper, one sheet of white, one brightly colored sheet, and glue.
Tear black and white sheets into small pieces (1/2" square). Paste the black and white pieces on the brightly colored sheet to create a unique collage. Some people may choose to create identifiable objects. Others may create geometric designs or a patterned "quilt."
Note that neither the black nor the white alone would have created an interesting picture, yet the two could be combined into many interesting patterns. In short, they are more productive working as a team just as we do here in the World Wide Web Circle of Friends.
Pay special attention to the differences between the pieces. Interesting to note that no two pieces in the collage are alike, just as no two people are alike. Each person has a unique purpose in life, and the home, church, community, and society as a whole are benifitted when each person finds and fulfills his purpose in life instead of seeking to be "just like" another individual.
January 25th is Robbie Burns Day.
Make your own Scottish Flag
Materials:
- small safety pins
- small blue and white beads
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
W B B B B B W
B W B B B W B
B B W B W B B
B B B W B B B
B B W B W B B
B W B B B W B
W B B B B B W
B = Blue
W = White
Check that the beads fit onto the pins and that they are the right size to hold 7 beads.
On January 26, 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip took formal possession of the colony of New South Wales and became its first Governor. In 1946, the Commonwealth Government, States and Territories agreed to observe Australia Day on the Monday closest to January 26. In 1994 however, all the states and territories endorsed the celebration of Australia Day and it has been held on January 26 ever since.
Aussie Jan tells us that they celebrate Australia Day on 28th, in NSW anyway, not 26th. Actually having 26th as the official day, and the holiday on the 28th, people get confused and don't know which day the celebrations are on.
Here is a link to make some delightful Australian Crafts such as Echidna, Kookaburra in a Tree, Platypus as well as for instructions on how to make a Didgeridoo using PVC pipe. Enjoy!
One member at a time helping each other to understand ourselves.
In this issue ...
Click on any of the following to be taken to that section of the newsletter. Please notify me of any broken links.
Adventures of Dabthoms
Argentina Report
- Australian Report
- Baby Photo Contest
Bigsis Pat's Journal
- Bragging Rights
- Canadian 'Eh
- Char's World
- Common Expressions
- Crafts
- Featured Sites
- Featured Story of the Week
Fun
- Google Boards
Dear Heather
- Kitchen Tips
- Member of the Month
- Messages from Members
- Mystery Member
- Nature's Water Features Photo Contest
- Pet of the Week
- Planet Kryzys
Prayer Requests
- Pursuit of Excellence
- Questions & Answers
Recipes
- Reunion 2008
- Weather Updates
- Welshgog
Bragging Rights
The young lady in the attached picture is Elizabeth, the granddaughter who lives with us. Over the last couple of years she has been studying music, specialising in singing and has progressed to level 5 with the Royal Academy of Music here in the UK. Not so remarkable you might think - except that she has scored over 90% at each examination performance. We are so proud of her - I think her achievement is worth bragging about.
WelshGoG aka Owen from Wales
I just got this picture of my two youngest grandchildren, Brodie & Makailey. Brodie is 18 months & Makailey is about 3 1/2. These are my son's children.
Bigsis Pat from Ontario, Canada
Here ye, Here Ye: Jami E. has not one but two new great nephews. Both born on November 19th. Edward and Nicholas. The best thing of all is they were both born on their Aunt Kim's Birthday. Sorry but the pictures I got from my sister are still at home. So I will have to send the pictures over the weekend to the Google group. Just wanted to share my news In the Bragging Rights section of the newsletter this week.
I also had the most wonderful visit from my sister this past Saturday. She was in Pennsylvania spoiling one of her new Grandsons (Edward) and decided to tear herself away from him to spend some alone time with her Big Sister. We went and did some shopping and had lunch out before returning. My sister and I have had a very strained relationship over the last 30 years. We have worked very hard to restore it. But even so, there was never any alone time because of all the children and grandchildren there. My sister Susan is a wonderful hands on MOM and Grandmother who does everything with and for her kids. Holidays at their house is like a three ring circus.(7 children and 9 grandchildren) But even so, There is soooo very much love in that house. On both ends ..... I am very proud of my Baby sister. and how she has shown the true meaning of what a MOM and Grandmom should be. I must also tell you, she has only 3 of them that are hers alone ..... the other four are step but dont tell her that, she doesn't use that word in her vocabulary. So this is me Bragging about my Sister! Jami from Maryland.
TaJuan from Alabama is proud to announce that her youngest son Christopher and his fiancee Christine set a wedding date of March 22, 2008.
Hiya friends,
S'me again (have you noticed how the Welsh tendto join words together whenthey'respeakin? We also have a tendncy to drop the odd lettr now n' then too. Ahem!!!
I thought perhaps I might tell you a little about myself, and why I'm just your average welshman. From the age of 6 and until I was about 13 yrs old we lived in Woodbine Cottage, the cottage shown in my last article and the tiny hamlet we lived in (8 houses, our cottage, a farm and the pub), is called Plas-y-Coed (pronounced Plass-ee-Coyd). This was a grand place for a boy to be, loads of open spaces, woods full of trees to climb and all sorts of adventures for a boy to get into (or perhaps mischief to get into).
My mum, bless her had a full time job reigning in 4 young reprobates, while my dad worked at a local colliery - as did both of my grandfathers. So I guess you would say I came from a mining background; not uncommon in Wales. During my teens years I found school studies very easy, I didn't have to work too hard to stay amongst the top achievers at school, which left me plenty of time to plan and instigate mischief, and boy did I take advantage of that situation!
After graduation I became an apprentice in the Quality Control department at a steelworks and studied to become a metallurgist, working in foundries and a factory making jet engine parts as years went by.
Perhaps I should also say at this point that I married at 18 and was blessed with 5 adorable daughters through this period too. Later I re-trained as an engineer designing pump and filter systems and hydraulic and pneumatic machinery; working at these for 10-12 yrs or so. Finally, in my early 40's, I re-trained yet again and became a teacher and helped a lot of kids to learn a little about crafts, designing and technology/engineering.
At the age of 51, when just about to go into a very large department store and totally out of the blue, I had a massive heart attack. Although I recovered from this and went back to teaching my health gradually declined over the next 2 years or so and eventually the stresses of teaching got to be too much and I had to give up work; this was fortunate in a way, because my wife needed a lot of help due to her arthritis by then. So here I am today folks, I come from a mining family (#1 industry in Wales), I worked in steel and iron making for many years (#2 industry in Wales) and ended up preparing our youngsters for their places in industry - but not mining and steel making because they are dead and dying in Wales today.
Who am I - just your average welshman folks - all I ever wanted to be, and proud to say I achieved just that. Oh, and one other thing that makes me an average welshman - heart problems are the #1 cause of mortality in Wales. Next time I'll tell you about the time I; or maybe about when, hmmm!!!
Diolch-yn-fawr
(thank you very much)
I live in British Columbia Canada. British Columbians are an extraordinary lot: spirited survivors, fortune-seekers, innovators and oddballs and this year (2008) B.C. is celebrating 150 years of cultural diversity, community strength and widespread achievement. From the diverse cultures of B.C.'s First Nations, reaching back thousands of years, through to the years of exploration and gold rush, to the founding of the Colony of British Columbia in 1858 and on into a new century of achievement and innovation, B.C. has a fascinating story to tell.
The 16th Annual Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Mail Run, a celebration of heritage and winter in the Cariboo region, will be one of the first events to celebrate BC150 Years in 2008. From January 24 to 27, dog teams will carry souvenir envelopes over the historic Cariboo Wagon Road, stopping at historic and modern-day post offices. The mail run will begin in Quesnel and will travel through Barkerville, Cottonwood and Stanley before arriving in Wells. From there, the envelopes will be delivered to their final destinations through regular Canada Post distribution.
British Columbia is set to stage its first Provincial Heritage Fair. The fair will take place in Kamloops from May 29 to June 1 in 2008.
Close to where I live there is going to be a Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games celebration and BC150 Years is helping by sponsoring a very special, province-wide event. The Cowichan 2008 Spirit Pole tour will take place over 13 weeks, beginning in May 2008. A 20-foot red cedar log will be transformed into a ceremonial Spirit Pole as it tours the province. Under the guidance of carver Carey Newman, people in over 45 communities will be invited to carve a section of the pole. Participants will also learn about traditional carving methods and First Nations history. On July 28, the NAIG Tribal Journeys Canoe participants will deliver the completed Spirit Pole to Cowichan Bay. The pole will be presented to Aboriginal Team BC at the opening ceremonies on August 3 and will remain in the Cowichan Valley after the Games are completed.
Rivermania 2008 will honour the Fraser River and its peoples and communities. It will also recognize the 200th anniversary of Simon Fraser's historic Fraser River journey. In 2008, a flotilla of boats will leave Prince George on August 24 and will arrive in Steveston on September 28, which is also B.C. Rivers Day. The flotilla will stop in river communities, where Aboriginal and other British Columbians will together honour the Fraser River and celebrate local history and culture. In addition to participating in community events, people will also have the opportunity to travel with the flotilla. The current list of participating communities includes Prince George, Quesnel, Soda Creek, Williams Lake, Lillooet, Lytton, Boston Bar, Yale, Hope, Mission, Harrison Hot springs, Sto'lo, Abbotsford, Fort Langley, New Westminster, Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows, Surrey, Delta, and Steveston in Richmond.
One of my favourite places to visit is the Royal BC Museum (RBCM) and they will be celebrating the characters and cornerstones of B.C.; a history as seen through the eyes of ordinary and extraordinary British Columbians, glimpses into the lives and locations that have shaped this province. I look forward to visit the exhibition at the RBCM as it will be a truly unique experience. The exhibit features being taken on a virtual road trip through B.C., traveling through time and space. Also visitors will be able to explore the celebratory clothing of various B.C. cultures and eras in a vibrant display named The Dance. The Place We Call Home will feature numerous artistic renditions of our province, some by Canadian icons like Emily Carr. The Mighty 90 Drive-In Theatre will capture your nostalgia for drive-ins, projecting travelogues from the 1940s to the 1970s that run the gamut from the informative to the hilarious. From B.C.'s First Peoples to its newest citizens, from the early European surveyors to today's high-tech visionaries, from the pillars of the province to the legendary eccentrics, and from Ogopogo to Sasquatch. I will not want to miss this historic celebration - Free Spirit which will run from March 13/08 - Jan. 11/09. Check out this Video when you have time.
Spirit of BC Week 2008 will be February 8 - 16th but as you can see celebrations this year will be all year round! Such fun!
Bigsis Pat from Ontario, Canada invites you to take this How Polite Are Canadians test.
Report from Argentina
Argentina is a vast country from sub antarctic to tropical, very high mountains to extensive plains. It is impossible to describe all the sights, all the colour, the intrigue, the romance .... some things just have to be experienced!
MAR DEL PLATA Reunion Headquarters city, 134 years old as a city, is one of Argentina's most important tourist cities, on the Atlantic coast some 250 miles, (400 KM) south of Buenos Aires. It has a stable population of around 700,000 people with easily an additional million in the summer months of December, January, February. It has a coast line of some 25 miles (40 KM) stretching from a huge park in the north to the light house in the south, with sandy beaches, stretches of rocks where people fish from, casinos, museums of all types, sloping parks, the Naval Base (submarines), the fishing port with its deep-sea and off-shore fishing trawlers and sea lion colony, golf courses, and a sea-world theme park.
Along the coast there are stands where crafters display and sell their wares, and shops where just about everything is sold. Often street artists set up their stands, and paint portraits, landscapes etc or set up speakers and have a sing-along or invite the public to dance, at no other cost than pass-the-hat. Within the city, we have a pedestrian shopping road and other roads dedicated to shops, we have universities, theatres, a Cathedral and of course all the main religion's worshipping places, two local TV channels and two local newspapers. Members in this city are doing their best to find the best offers in accommodation for our visitors. There is an airport, domestic flights only, a long distance bus station and a railway station (plans are in the distant future to unite both of these, and also to add a faster train system- the railway not being the most popular form of transport). Again, I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have, having adopted this city as my home 33 years ago
Daphne from Argentina
Australian Report
The January 11th Global Express mentioned 12 Days of Christmas and Aussie Jan wanted us to know that they have a few Australian versions. This is the version of the song that they sing.
It is to the same tune and in the same manner as the traditional version.
On the ...... day of Christmas my true love gave to me
- 1st verse - A bower bird in a flame tree
- 2nd verse - 2 wallabies and a
- 3rd verse - 3 lorikeets
- 4th verse - 4 pelicans
- 5th verse - 5 crocodiles
- 6th verse - 6 penguins peeping
- 7th verse - 7 mice a marching
- 8th verse - 8 quokkas cooking
- 9th verse - 9 numbats knitting
- 10th verse - 10 dingos dancing
- 11th verse - 11 lizards leaping
- 12th verse - 12 koalas clowning
Australian animals - links to a full page about many here.
Update on Kayakers crossing Tasman
Thousands gathered to welcome Aussie pair
Trip took 62 days and covered more than 3300km
TWO Australian kayakers have completed their journey across the Tasman Sea.
James Castrission, 25, and Justin Jones, 24, reached shore at Ngamotu Beach, about 4km west of New Plymouth on NZ's West Coast, at 12.20pm local time on Sunday 13th January 2008.
The pair, who have spent the last two months paddling across the Tasman Sea, were given a heroes' welcome after completing their epic crossing today.
A crowd of about 5000 gathered at New Plymouth to greet Castrission and Jones when they reached the shore. During the past 62 days the pair travelled more than 3300 kilometres and battled strong winds and tides that saw them go round in circles for part of the trip and arrive 20 days later than originally expected. As they approached shore today a fleet of Maori wakas (canoes) sailed out to welcome them, as did dozens of local kayakers. A New Zealand tug boat gave them a "spray welcome" by shooting water over their kayak, and a giant television screen was set up on the beach so those in the crowd could watch proceedings, entertained by a live band.
After greeting their families, they were expected to complete a customs check before being taken by ambulance to a local hospital to be checked up. The pair are thought to be the first to kayak across the Tasman, and have taken part in the longest two-man kayaking voyage ever.
Jan, from the Land Down Under
Last week's mystery member has been correctly identified as Jeanette from Kansas. If you have not had the pleasure of "meeting" her please do take this opportunity to email her to introduce yourself and to make a new friend. Who do you think this week's mystery member is?
- My middle name is Ann.
- I do not smoke anymore. Effective July 1, 2005 my hubby and I quit a 40+ years, 2 pack per day habit.
- My eyes are green.
- I have two sisters and 1 brother all younger than me.
- My favourite thing to do is travelling.
- My favourite colour is blue.
- My favourite type of music is Good Old Rock 'n Roll.
- I am outgoing.
- I follow the rules.
- My special talents are organization.
- I have four children.
- I drive a 2000 Chev Cavalier.
- I am old enough to know better, but young enough to do it again! Let's just say 50+.
- My favourite food lobster, but if you're talking about food I can afford, then Turkey rules.
- If you and I were stranded on a deserted island; I would bring a flint to make fire. According to Jeff Probst of "Survivor" with flint you have fire, and fire represents life.
Our Furry Friends in the Spotlight
"Tilda"
Hello, my name is Tilda and I'm an Aussie Terrier ... no not a Silkie, my Dad gets upset if people ask if I'm a Silkie. I was born on 17th August 2000. My Dad was keen to get a companion dog, and tells me he searched the internet to find the most suitable kind, one that is intelligent, doesn't bark much and all that sort of thing, and the Australian Terrier came out on top. Mum wasn't all that keen, but I must have been clever, because when the kennel owner let us puppies out, I ran to Mum and made a big fuss of her, and she couldn't resist me!!
We live in a house with a yard, but I especially love travelling, we see a lot more people and have some good adventures. In my younger days I used to go out on on my Dad's sea kayak, and we had a motorbike and one trip we went around 6,000 kms. Dad made a box for me on the back that I looked out of, and it said Waltzing My Tilda. Lots of people took my photo. I'll get Mum to dig a photo out another time.
My best friend is another girl dog named Nellie, and we have great fun when we meet up.
Here is a pic when we were down the Murray River last summer, I snuck up beside Dad, when he was asleep after a busy morning yarning and playing cards with our mates, I am always on for a nap and a soft bed.
Thank you
Aussie Jan & Barry for Sharing Tilda with us today!
for they give you all of theirs!
Jami from Maryland.
Charla's
Prayer Requests
WWWCOF Members
Edith - Edith lives in Uganda and they are having a serious flooding problem there. Some people have no water at all to drink and some have no place to sleep and such because their homes are flooded. Please pray for these people that God will provide for them. That He will give them rest and food and surround them with His Angels of Mercy. Please Lord send Your workers to them for relief. Please pray with me as we take so much for granted with all we have. God Bless Edith and those in this most needy area. We lift them to You Lord for Your Comfort and To provide for each one.
In Jesus Name
TaJuan from Alabama's husband's grandmother passed away 01/08/2008.
Norma from Alberta, Canada's husband 
Wayne has pneumonia again. He has had to go back to the hospital and get more antibiotics. May God heal Wayne.
Jan 11 update - I talked to Tonya today. We're going to see her tomorrow night. They will be probably keeping her for at least 7 days. There are some family sessions that they want me & Courtney to come to. Will know more tomorrow night. Hugs,
Billie, from Ridgely, TN USA.
Irv Wall from Ontario, Canada - please pray for Irv. He is a long time member of our group and he is having to go through some tests. It could be serious. Let's pray God will make these tests naegative and heal Irv.
Maxine, from Ontario, Canada - Please keep Maxine (nose surgery) her son in law Paul (leukemia) and daughter MaryJo (Miners Disease) in prayer for healing. An update on my daughter Mary Jo, she has had 2 rounds of chemo and they have taken bone marrow to pinpoint it more. Hard to tell if anything but its supposed to slow it down or stop it so she could have up to 15 yrs if she doesn't get sick instead of 2 to 5 yrs. She has Pulmonary Fibrosis. Mary Jo is only 51, My eldest daughter. Thank you for all you prayers and God Bless. This is a very hard time for Mary Jo as chemo takes a lot from you. Please keep her in prayer for God to heal her, as well as her Mother Maxine from worry about her. Also Mary Jo's husband Paul, has been diagnosed with leukemia and is in the hospital. They almost lost him Praise God prayer works!!
Christine from Greenwood, Delaware, USA - We are both out of work and God is providing EVERYTHING we need. Not what we want, but need, and that is important!! He is good to us and I believe HE will see us through. I want Mike to have a job soon, but I have prayed for God to give him the job that HE wants him to have. That will make all the difference. Please pray for God to send that job to Mike soon.
An update from
Cindy from Phillipston, MA on her husband, Vern. - Praise God! Vern ( Cindy's husband) Vern is doing very well! He has some balance problems, but only slight. He is going to therapy to help improve this. It's mostly when he turns quickly or bends down and stands back up too fast. He has had some headaches, but that too seems to be improving. Cindy's hip is doing great..... (had hip surgery) I'm using my cane and around the house I don't even use that too much. I have absolutely no pain in the hip at all. It's so wonderful to not have that constant stabbing pain! Cindy also asks for prayer for her family for God to surround them with His angels of Guidance.
Haley Miller has a request. Please keep Haleys Parents in prayer for healing and for her family to be a Christian one.
Jonna from Florida, USA - Please keep Jonna in prayer for strength and for her to continue to allow God to guide her in every decision.
Arlene from Arizona, USA - I am back on line but not too often as i just got home from the hospital after 4 months and major back surgery and many infections and rehab. I have missed all of you ... Please keep Arlene in constant prayer as she continues to heal. Praise God we have you back!!
Daphne from Argentina - One of the many nieces of Leo's from a mountain village has had to travel with her parents (Leo's brother) to Buenos Aires - couple of thousand miles from where they live - for an operation for a bone tumor. The girl, Ivana, is only 16. They have to spend about a month away from home, I don't have anymore details at present. I do not know, but I suspect it is possible they will be here for a while for convalescence before returning to the mountains. We already have another niece - of another brother - living with us. Please keep this family in your prayers.
Prayer for Global Healing and let's also keep the wwwcof reunion in prayer with Daphne even though it is a year away.
Family and Friends of WWWCOF Members
Susan Murphy: (Haley's Nanna) Susan has Parkinson's and has had for a few years She is still working although at times it gets a bit hard Please keep Susan in prayer for a cure to be found.
Jim Romans: (Charla's cousin's husband) Thank You all for your Prayers for My husband Jim Please continue to pray for him he is in a lot of pain now. Jim had back/neck surgery this past week. May God touch him with His hand of comfort and healing. Sue is also in pain from her surgery in her shoulders please keep her in prayer.
Scott Skeel: Scott is having some hard times right now and needs prayer for making decisions. He feels alone and lost. Please keep him in prayer for his needs.
Muire : (28 year old Mommy with brain cancer) - We heard from Forrest and Muire tonight that Muire's MRI came back showing her tumor was Completely Removed!! 100 percent resect. Now of course there are still cancer cells there, but with treatment it will hopefully stay under control, if not get completely destroyed. The team at Duke University is Dr. Freidman's. His assistant, Dr. Silverman, has been working closely with Forrest (Muire's husband) on getting everything lined up for Muire to get her treatment. This is VERY hopeful news. Dr. Freidman has patients that are still beating glioblastoma for over ten years. He uses a combination method of chemotherapy and radiation, but they also can take from the persons tumor tissue and create a vaccine specifically for that person. PRAISE GOD!!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!!! Thank you Prayer Warriors and please continue to keep Muire in your healing prayers. Remember...PRAYER is our phone line to God.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR THOSE IN THE MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES
- Jamie Landon: (Fl Maries Grand Daughter) Home from Iraq
- Geoffery Landon: (Fl Maries Grandson) Home from Iraq
- Robert Fleming: (Peachy Marie's Grandson.) In Iraq
- Stephen Johnson: (Christine Mills Pastors Son) In Iraq
- Robin Smith: (Christine Mills requests) In Iraq
UNSPOKEN Requests:Joyce, Jeff, Steve, Libby, Bobby, Alan & Katie,
Please email Charla, from Florida, USA with any Praises, Requests and/or UPDATES Thank you.
Do check out the the awesome
January Trivia Pages
REUNION ARGENTINA OCTOBER 2008
EXPLORING ARGENTINA with views to Reunion 2008
This week: FORMOSA
Located in the northeast of the Republic of Argentina, Formosa is the Capital City of the homonymous province. The name of the city was given by a twist of Parana River which is called "Fermosa or Hermosa" (Beautiful) Twist where a Jesuitical Settlement was located in 1673. Formosa is situated on a flat land with a slight dip to the east where there are estuaries and gorges that favour the growth of forests and meanders due to the water in excess.
Formosa landscape shows a colourful backwater and offers such a good climate that attracts many tourists. The climate is hot, humid subtropical and temperatures range from 22C to 33C in Summer and from 12C to 23C in Winter, presenting plentiful rains during the whole year. Formosa is a dynamic and modern city with thick woods that tourist comes across the at any time.
There is a port in Parana-Paraguay River Route that is an important means of income for the regional economy.
The city counts on big extensions of vegetable plantations but its main business is the timber farm of red quebracho, cedar and timbo.
It is a mysterious region since it is not so well known. Currently, it offers adventure and contemplative tourism involving flora, fauna, rivers, crafts and beautiful landscapes in a high degree of purity and authenticity.
Among the activities one cannot miss in Formosa are the pirogue way down Monte Lindo Grande or Bermejo Rivers, horse-riding activities and fourtrax excursions in Guaycolec Natural Reserve, Isla de Oro (Golden Isle) and also in "Ing. Lucas A. Torelli" Botanical Forest Park.
The main attractions in Formosa City are the sober style of the Government House, the front of the Cathedral called "Nuestra Senora del Carmen", the tannin factory and the river resort by Paraguay River where an interesting practice of sport fishing is allowed. Warm and hospitable people welcome the tourist to this fascinating land in a landscape created with a palette.
Formosa, of Indian Roots
The Province of Formosa was dwelled, particularly, by three large native groups that lived in various regions. They were the Tobas, the Matacos and the Pilagas. These groups arrived in these territories after being forced to emigrate from the Bolivian-Paraguayan rainforest. They were fleeing from the tribes whose fierceness was an attempt against their lives. The Chaco tribes that inhabited these lands had a different linguistic origin. They were hunter gatherers, different from the Abipones and the canoeros payaguas, who dwelled the shores of the large rivers. The Mataco warriors were settled inland and the Chiriguanos in the western territories.
Furthermore, Mocovi communities would dwell near the abipones and the chulupies along with the chiriguanos. The Tobas and Pilagas were given the guarani name of guaicuru, and the tribes occupying the western area were called mataco-mataguayos. The guaycurues and the mataco-mataguayos had cultural similarities. Therefore, they were called "chaquenses tipicos" (typical dwellers of Chaco). They were organized in groups and they still live in a primary work environment. They devote their lives to woodworks, carving, mates, ashtrays, items made of bulrush, straw-bales and palm, chair building, baskets, hats and rafts. The baskets they make - decorated with patterns - are useful to keep grain. They also make vases and earthen jars. Each group has its own customs, tongue and garments.
The presence of the brave Mataco Indians was quite important in the area of the first stable settlements, especially in the central region in the province. They were basically anglers and gatherers, but they also practiced hunting and agriculture as secondary activities. They dwelled the areas surrounding the Pilcomayo, Bermejo and Teuco Rivers. They would use four-meter-long harpoons to fish. They lived in huts made with branches and straw-bales, without any doors or furniture, and they covered their bodies with deer fur.
In the second half of the XIX century, the various native groups settled on the banks of the river made contact with the first white man that settled down in the area: the owner of the first steam company of the Bermejo, Natalio Roldan. Initial mistrust was soon defeated by good treatment and almost two thousand of them began to help in the works the newcomers began to build. The City of Formosa was founded in April 8, 1879 , but Formosa was not declared province of the Republic of Argentina until June 30, 1955.
The national policy towards the Indians was completed with the religious missions. After performing a vast reconnaissance process in various areas of the Northwest and after long formalities, in 1899, the Mission of San Francisco Solano de Tacaagle was created on the Pilcomayo River. Father Terencio Marcucci, who received 20,000 hectares of crop lands for the Toba Indians, was its founder. Broadly speaking, the mission would follow the model of the Jesuit missions settled up to the XVIII century. The mission would buy everything the families produced at a standarized price and they offered those products for sale at the Formosa square.
During the conquest, however, the contact between the missionaries and the natives had to endure hard difficulties, when the exploration of the Bermejo implied the death of Jesuit missionaries, such as Gaspar Osorio and father Ripari, who were slaughtered in 1639. Years later, father Salinas and Pedro Ortiz de Zarate had the same luck. The torture of some martyrs paved the way for the self - sacrificing job done by others, who subsequently arrived in these lands and had better or worse luck.
Priest Franciscano Roque Chielli devoted the best years of his life to helping the chiriguanos and he spent the early years of his mission in La Loma de El Tabacal, until an unforeseen event shattered its peaceful existence in 1970: they received a warrant to clear the facilities immediately.
The catechism taught by the Franciscans among the natives stood out for the great respect paid to their tongue and customs.
To hold a Reunion we need people, The organization is already well underway as shown in our Reunion site, now we need the cooporation and participation of members everywhere. Look forward to seeing many of you here
Love from Daphne
I would like to let you know that I wrote to the Spirit of BC people and I heard back from a Barb Jusiak of that organization confirming that they would be happy to send us some pins for Reunion 2008 in Argentina. Isn't that great. Please contact your Mayors, etc. and see if they have any promotional material that they would like to contribute. Here is the email I sent to the Spirit of BC people. Please feel free to amend and use it!
Subject: BC150 Promotional Items
Hello. I am a British Columbian with a request for your kind consideration please.
In October 2008 I am heading over to a reunion in Argentina where several people from all over the world will be in attendance. I like to promote British Columbia whenever the chance arises and this is without a doubt a great time to do that. The next reunion could be held here.
My request is simple. Would you have available any promotional "souvenir" items, such as pins, flags, etc. etc. that I could distribute to those hosting and attending this reunion? Depending on what you might have -- 25 of each would be adequate I would think.
Thank you for your consideration of this request and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sharon Greene
Cassidy, British Columbia Canada
Members Favourites
This is the cake I will be making for Leo's Birthday Friday (AND our 33rd anniversary)
Coffee Walnut Cake
WWWCOF COOKBOOK
Preparation Time: 30
Daphne from Argentina
- 4 Ounce Margarina
- 4 Ounce Castor Sugar
- 2 Eggs, Beaten
- 4 Ounce Self Raising Flour
- 2 Ounce Walnuts, Chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Coffee Essence
- Coffee Glace Icing
Gradually add the beaten eggs beating well between additions.
Stir in coffee essence and fold in sifted flour together with chopped walnuts.
Turn mixture into a deep 7" sandwich tin, well greased and bake at 190C, 375F, gas mark 5 for 25-30 minutes.
Cool on a rack and decorate with coffee glace icing * and walnut halves.
* Add a tablespoon of coffee essence or whisked instant coffee into the normal frosting or icing
Irish Coffee
WWWCOF COOKBOOK
The secret lies in the combination of the piping hot coffee with a slight taste of Irish Whiskey and the cold soothing cream on top. Pour in the cream slowly over the spoon. Tip! Turn a teaspoon upside down and hold against rim inside the glass. 
Sharon from Paradise Island, aka Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
- One stemmed whiskey or grog glass
- very hot strong black coffee
- 1 tablesp. whipped cream
- 2-3 teasp. Sugar
- measure of Irish Whiskey
Heat whiskey and pour into the glass, fill with very hot black coffee in which the sugar has been disolved.
Float the cream on top.
Our WWWCOF Cookbook has 40 new recipes recently added in the Seasonal section and about a dozen more day-to-day ones. It is continually being updated and we still have room for many more recipes so we would love to add your favourites.
If you cannot find your recipe either in the main cookbook, or the Seasonal Regional section, try looking in its own site search engine to make finding specific recipes easy, (eg. By origin, ingredient, recipe type etc.) Failing that, email Daphne from Argentina and let her know and she'll do my best to put the matter right.
Kitchen Tips
Kitchen Tips
THIS WEEK: COFFEE
Claudia once said: You just need One good old coffee pot.
You don't need one of those fancy espresso machines to make these specialty coffees!
- Espresso: Using a drip coffeemaker, add 1 cup cold water and 1/3 cup French roast or espresso roast, ground as directed for your coffeemaker. Brew according to manufacturer's directions. (If using an espresso maker, use manufacturer's suggested amounts of ground coffee and water.) Pour into 4 demitasse cups or small cups. Serve with sugar cubes or coarse sugar. Makes four 2-ounce servings.
- Cappuccino: Brew 1 recipe of Espresso. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan warm 1 cup low-fat milk over medium heat until hot but not boiling. Transfer milk to a food processor bowl or blender container. Process or blend until milk is very frothy. (If you have an espresso machine with a steaming nozzle, heat and froth milk according to manufacturer's directions.) Divide espresso among four 5- to 8-ounce cups. Top each with the frothy milk. If desired, sprinkle with ground cinnamon or grated chocolate and serve with sugar. Makes 4 servings.
- Caffe Latte: Prepare 1 recipe Cappuccino as directed, except increase the low-fat milk to 2 cups. A typical caffe latte is mostly hot milk and has just a small amount of froth on top. Serve with sugar, if desired. Makes 4 servings.
More on Coffee:
"The First Decade" chapter in A Century of Canadian Home Cooking
Coffee - probably one of the most popular drinks on earth. It's a great way to start your day and get you going. Anyway - did you know that there are a few other ways to use your java besides drinking it? The liquid, and particularly the grounds, have other helpful and thrifty uses - such as:
USES FOR COFFEE GROUNDS
- In the garden for COMPOSTING:
The most well known use for the grounds is for composting. As coffee grounds decompose, they add much needed nitrogen for your plants and increases the acidity of the soil. Use them in your garden or for your flower pots. If you add water to the grounds, you'll make a good liquid fertilizer. Plus, you can feed it to your friendly garden earthworms. - In the yard as PEST CONTROL:
Wherever you see ants and their mounds, try spreading some of the grounds around. It seems that the caffeine will kill them. (Just like humans, too much caffeine will kill them, too!!) This seems to be much better than harsh, expensive chemicals! Give it a try. - Dye fabric - Brown is in this year, so recycle something by soaking it in some strong coffee. (Without the cream and sugar, of course!)
- Cover scratches on wood - Form a paste by mixing a teaspoon of instant coffee with two teaspoons of water. Rub on the wood surface to hide the scratches.
- Absorb odors - Place an open container of grounds in the freezer or refrigerator to absorb odors.
- Rinse your hair - A quick dousing will bring out the shiny highlights!
Got some crude oil in your coffee pot? I bet you do! It seems that coffee has oil in it. Every time your brew a pot, some of this oil gets left behind, leaving a residue to build up in your coffee maker. If you don't clean off the residue, your coffee will taste bitter, and you may think you need a new pot, and you may spend money needlessly. So make your pot last, and give it good regular cleanings.
What's the best way to give it a good clean? Once a month, pour a solution of alcohol vinegar into the reservoir and run the machine through the brewing cycle. For hard water, do this twice a month to clean off the excess mineral deposits. Your coffee will always be good to the last drop. Taken (with permission) from Daphne's Little Black book
10 New Uses for Coffee Filters
About 100 years ago, a German housewife named Melitta Bentz punctured the bottom of a brass pot, lined it with blotting paper, and voila! made the first coffee filter. Almost a century later, a perfected version of Bentz's design is still used. "Coffee filters aren't as likely to crumple or dissolve in water as typical paper because they have better 'wet strength,' thanks to longer fibers," says Melinda McDonald, communications manager for Bunn, a beverage equipment manufacturer. "Additionally, the fluted sides and cupcake shape allow substances to flow through the filter freely and prevent grains from flowing over the sides."
Use Coffee Filters to:
- 1. Diffuse the flash on a camera. When you're taking a close-up, soften the brightness by placing a coffee filter over the flash.
- 2. Strain wine from a bottle with a broken cork. Place the filter over a pitcher or a carafe and slowly pour the wine into it.
- 3. Serve popcorn or other snacks. The filters act as disposable bowls, so there's no dishwashing.
- 4. Make yogurt dip. Use a rubber band to secure a paper coffee filter over the mouth of a deep cup or jar. Slowly pour 8 ounces of plain yogurt onto the filter. Let drain for one hour. In a bowl, mix the thickened yogurt with 1 small minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with crackers.
- 5. Heat up leftovers in the microwave. Use a filter as the protective covering over a bowl or a plate.
- 6. Prevent soil from draining out of flowerpots. When repotting, place a filter at the bottom, over the drainage hole, then add the soil.
- 7. Prevent scuffs and scratches on fine china. Use flattened coffee filters as spacers when you stack your dishes.
- 8. Protect hands from Popsicle drippage. Slide the wooden stick of an ice pop through a coffee filter so your hands stay mess - free.
- 9. Serve pita sandwiches. A circular filter is the perfect size for carrying a sandwich on the go.
- 10. Clean windows and glass when you're out of paper towels. Coffee filters leave no lint or other residue.
Please send us your favourite tips or food facts!
Email Daphne with your comments and suggestions; actually email me, Daphne anytime!
Baby Photo Contest
In case you were wondering, yes I am still going to do the Baby Photo Contest, however I've run into a few snags. Therefore I will be pushing it forward to Valentine's day.
First there was the time and location issue. As you know I have relocated back to Ontario, and was without internet for two weeks. Then when I finally did get it installed, my computer got very sick, and had to have major surgery. Yes, the dreaded hard drive reformat!! Which means I lost all the photos for the contest.
The basic concept is for you to send in two photos - one as an adult, and one as a baby or young child. These will be posted on a special website I created, and then everyone will try to match up the entries.
Interestingly, I have them on the website I created, unfortunately I renamed them all, so folks wouldn't be able to cheat by looking at the file names.
I named them entry 1, 2, 3 etc for the adult pictures. and entry a, b, c etc for the baby photos.
Now I don't know who goes with who. lol Bigsis Pat's
NATURE'S WATER FEATURES PHOTO CONTEST
This time the Theme is "Nature's Water Features"
That, of course includes water in all the forms nature brings it in.
The rules are simple:
- Pictures must be 'Members own' - or close friends and family of members - we are not looking for photos taken from the internet or other sources
- Photos must be identified in where/when they were taken and who took the picture
- They can be sent to Daphne or to Sharon, or posted on the Circle Group Google board where I will pick them up
- They can be in any size or format (but not too small) I can adjust the size as needed
- Contest closes Easter, which this year is 21st-24th March, which also coincides roughly with the Circle's anniversary. Voting will start the following week.
- This contest is open to all members of any age anywhere on Planet Earth
Daphne from Argentina
FEATURED SITES
***VERY IMPORTANT*** Recently Wanda from Thomasville, AL, USA was indirectly involved in a scam. Here is what happened.
I just talked to my daughter Jamie and she was so excited until she could hardly talk. Her father in law had just received a check for $4700 with a letter saying that amount was to be used to pay taxes on his winnings of $250,000. Supposedly it was a sweepstakes for Walmart & Home Depot customers and his name was a winner. They called the number on it and talked to someone and they said it was definitely real. They are on the way to a lawyers office to get him to check it out before doing anything. The guy they talked to told him to go and deposit the check in his account and come back and call him and he would tell him how to get the remainder of his winnings. I am a bit skeptical about it and would have to check it out really good before doing that. Jamie is going to call me back when they get back from the lawyers.
It was a fake!! :( It was from T.B.N. Financial Services so if any of you get a check like that don't deposit it in your account. I'll tell ya'll more about it in a while, got things to do right now.
Why on earth do people try to scam other people. The check was part of a scam or rip off and if they hadnt been smart enough to check into it before doing anything, her father in law would have had a mess on his hands. I am including a link to a ripoff report site where you can read about this scam. I hope and pray that no poor unsuspecting person does not get caught up in this.
Cindy from Phillipston, MA sends this card about Beautiful Friends to all her wonderful friends at WWWCOF saying that we put sunshine in her life.
God Bless You All!Do you have a favourite site that you would like to share with the members? Please let me know and I will be happy to put it in the newsletter.
Member of the Month Nominations
February's Member of the Month nominations close January 31st so be sure to cast your ballot here today! Do be sure to add your comments as to why you have selected the member you are nominating.
Planet Kryzys
Frilled Neck Lizard
Thanks for your interest in the frilled neck lizard.
I still remember seeing them in the garden, and it was over 40 years ago.
We only lived in that old house a few miles out of town, for a short while,
and I don't recall seeing them in the wild since then.
The Frilled Neck Lizard is an amazing little reptile. It is also an Australian icon. They are between 70 to 90 cms long, and have a 'frill' around their head. When the lizard gets frightened, it opens its mouth and the frill is folded out. This is to make the lizard appear larger and is one of its defensive strategies against predators. The lizard can also run very fast, and it runs on its two hind legs.
They live in hot tropical climates, so are found all over the northern part of Australia. They like to bathe themselves in the sun like other reptiles. They feed on all kinds of small insects. The frilled neck lizard can stay very still, and match the colour of its surroundings. It goes unnoticed by insects, and the frilled neck lizard can easily catch them before they have a chance to escape.
The female frilled neck lizard lays about 15 eggs. They take on average 3-4 months to hatch.
Amazing Fact: The Frilled Neck Lizard was pictured on Australia's two cent coin. The coins are no longer in circulation.
Aussie Jan
Daphne from Argentina created the Planet Kryzys, our almost abandoned website, to help show awareness in looking after the only planet we have. Please take a moment to visit this site and to contribute to it. We could certainly use more on native creatures around the world -- so do tell us about the creatures you have in your corner of the globe!
Pursuit of Excellence Programme
Have you started with your Pursuit of Excellence Programme? Linda, from Tallassee, AL has.
Just a note to let you know what is going on in my little corner of the world. David & I joined Scale Back Alabama Friday with two of our best friends. This is what the program is all about.
Scale Back Alabama is a ten-week, weight loss program that begins with an official, statewide weigh-in from January 5 - 11, 2008. It is designed to help people lose weight in a healthy manner by exercising and eating sensibly. The competition involves teams of four people, who must each lose at least 10 pounds in order to be eligible for the grand prize of $1,000 per team member. For those who lose at least the necessary 10 pounds but their teammates do not, they will be eligible for one of 20 achievement prizes of $250.
To be eligible for one of the prizes, you must participate in both an official weigh-in and an official weigh-out and lose 10 pounds during the program. If you miss the weigh-in, though you will not be eligible for a prize, we hope you will continue to pursue your weight-loss and fitness goals. Feel free to use the lesson plans included on this site as guidance for the right foods to buy, the correct portion sizes to eat, and many other great health tips.
I am hoping this will help us on our New Years Resolution. We started walking the first of the year & eating right. David is walking a lot more than I am but I am trying to hang in there. Wonder if anyone else is doing this. Will let you know how this works out for us.
I am doing some things, like reading. I have just finished reading "The Edge of Winter" by Luanne Rice -- nice story -- has an enviromental focus in it so I should take it to Argentina in October to give to Daphne. I must say that I do prefer the Maeve Binchy books much better though but that is only my personal opinion. Also earlier on in this newsletter there was a link for how to make a Didgeridoo using PVC pipe. Now let me tell you PVC pipe is an amazing construction material. I recently built a dog bed (strong enough for our English Mastiffs) using PVC pipe and it is so darned cute. I used some canvas type material that I found at the thrift store for the bed part but have since gone out and bought some Sunbrella which is supposed to be super strong and I can't wait to make bed No. 2. I was a little worried about using the drill but that went okay too. During a sewing session on Tuesday (making PJ's and housecoat for Baby Kadynce) the pressure foot fell off my old Singer machine and I was only briefly tempted to break into tears. Instead I examined the little bits and piece and fixed it (I think). Sharon from Paradise Island, aka Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Crafts
Time to send in your Valentine's Day Craft ideas.
Be sure to check out all the wonderful craft ideas in the WWWCOF Craft Site and lets get this group active and crafting. Any ideas, please send them my way. Add your own favourites or email me, Sharon from Paradise Island, aka Vancouver Island, BC, Canada and I will be happy to add them to our ever growing collection.
Remember to take a moment to visit the
Be sure to take a moment to sign up in our google board; lots of fun and a great way to get to know the members better! You must be a member of the Circle of Friends in order to join our google board.
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days until Reunion 2008!
I hope you have enjoyed this week's edition of Global Express. I look forward to chatting with you online and do keep those emails coming. I am already working on next week's issue!
Thank you for being my friend!
